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A        METHOD         OF 

CHEIROGNOMY 


THE  SCIENCE  OF 
READLYG    CHARACTER 
BY  THE  CONFORMATION    ' 
OF  THE  HAND 


BY 

IRVING     R.     BACON 

NATIONAL    PUBLISHING    CO 

PUBLISHERS  NEW    VORIv 

Price,  Net,  $i.2j 


Copyrighted,  1904 
By  Gertrude  L.  EllermaW 

All  Rights  Reserved 


IXTRODUCTIOX 

Scoff  to  your  hearit's  content,  but 
read ;  and,  having  read,  compare  with 
the  hands  of  persons  whom  you  know, 
what  you  find  set  down  in  this  little 
book,  and  if  the  book  prove  the  mir-, 
ror  of  the  man,  recommend  it  to  the 
study  of  those  whose  welfare  is  not. 
indifferent  to  you.     For  surely  notn-' 
ing  can  be  more  helpful  than  to  pos-' 
sess  a  glass  that  M^ill  show  exactly  how 
one  is  fitted  out  to  make  the  journey 
through  a  world  in  which  nearly  all 
go  groping  and  stumbling  about   in 
ignorance  of   the   means   nature  has; 
placed  at  their  disposal. 

The  sage's  advice,  "Know  thyself," 
is  but  part  of  the  problem  this  little 
book  claims  to  solve.  It  shows  you  af 
one  stroke  not  only  what  you  are  and 
can  hope  to  accomplish,  but  also  what 
everybody  else  is  at  heart,  if  you  will 
only  take  the  trouble  to  look  at  his 
hands  through  the  spectacles  herewith' 
furnished  you.  I.  E.  B. 

New  York  City,  December,  1903. 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


Mind,  Business,  Sensuality,  full  page 6 

The  Thkee  Phalanxes,  full  page 14 

Elementa ry  Thumb 18 

Strong  Thumb 19 

Kffined  Thumb ~0 

Nervous  Thumb 31 

Paddle-shaped  Thumb 'S^ 

Brilliant  Thumb 23 

Clubbed  Thumb 24 

The  Fingers,  full  page 26 

Spatulate  Tip 30 

Square  Tip 31 

Conic  Tip 33 

Pointed  or  Psychic  Tip 33 

The  Complete  Hand,  full  page 41 


FIRST  LESSON 


'J'ho  person  whose  hands  are  being 
examined  is  called  "the  subject." 

The  first  thing  to  do  is  to  note 
which  one  of  the  three  divisions  of 
the  hand  predominates.  These  di- 
visions are  called  the  three  worlds  of 
Cheirognomy. 

1.  If  the  fingers  have  the  appear- 
ance of  being  the  most  prominent 
part,  that  is  if  they  seem  to  be  longer 
than  either  of  the  other  two  divisions, 
the  su])ject  is  inclined  to  oe  intel- 
lectual and  will  have  a  fondness  for 
mental  pursuits,  irrespective  of  the 
question  of  profit. 

2.  If  the  division  marked  "Busi- 
ness" is  as  long  as  the  fingers  o^ 
longer,  it  indicates  that  the  subject 
possesses    all   the   qualifications   that 

5 


constitute  a  business  man.  The  term 
"business^'  being  accepted  m  the 
widest  sense  of  the  word  and  includ- 
ing not  only  mercantile  affairs,  but 
also  affairs  of  state  and  government; 
in  a  word,  everything  that  is  calcu- 
lated to  promote  the  material  interests 
of  the  subject. 

3.  If  the  division  marked  "Sensu- 
ality^'  has  the  appearance  of  being 
longest,  the  subject  is  a  seeker  after 
pleasure  and  subordinates  everything 
to  the  gratification  of  his  desires. 

4.  If  "mind''  and  "business"  ap- 
pear fairly  balanced  you  must  read  the 
subject's  nature  as  being  a  composite 
of  intellectuality  and  practical  energy. 
This  is  an  excellent  combination  as 
too  much  intellectuality,  without  busi- 
ness tact,  is  apt  to  produce  a  dreamer, 
who  accomplishes  nothing;  while  too 
much  business  ability  with  little  in- 
tellectuality makes  an  avaricious,, 
hard,  grasping  nature. 

7 


5.  If  "business"  and  "sensuality"'^ 
appear  fairly  balanced,  the  subject 
will  make  money  out  of  gross  pursuits, 
such  as  running  a  low  concert  hall,  or 
a  "dive^^  or  gambling  den. 

6.  If  "mind"  and  "sensuality"  are 
balanced,  the  subject  is  likely  to  be  an 
erratic  poet,  or  a  singer  of  ribald 
songs,  a  person  whose  thoughts  are 
"wholly  occupied  with  sensuality. 

If  all  three  divisions  are  of  equal 
development,  the  subject's  character 
is  well  balanced  and  harmonious,  and 
this  is  perhaps  the  best  combination  of 
all. 

II 

The  next  thing  to  note  is: 
1.  Whether  the  skin  is  fine  or 
coarse.  If  fine,  the  subject  will  be  re- 
fined in  whichever  of  the  three  worlds 
he  lives;  while  if  the  skin  is  coarse 
grained,  if  the  pores  are  big,  he  will 
prefer  coarse  methods.    Be  careful  to 

8 


estimate  what  degree  of  fineness  or 
eoarseness  the  skin  has,  as  there  are 
innumerable  grades  of  each. 

2.  Whether  the  hands  are  stiff  or 
flexible.  Flexii)ility  is  shown  by  the 
ease  with  which  the  hand  bends  back- 
ward. The  degree  of  flexibility  shows 
the  adaptability  of  the  subject's  mind 
and  disposition.  The  more  flexible 
the  hand  the  greater  the  brilliancy, 
versatility  and  generosity  of  the  sub- 
ject. The  stiff  hand  belongs  to  a 
nature  which  is  hide-bound  in  old 
traditions,  is  conservative,  unsym- 
pathetic, stingy  and  oposed  to  every- 
thing that  is  novel.  Such  a  one  may 
be  trusted  with  a  secret  though,  for 
he  is  close  mouted  for  the  same  reason 
that  he  is  close  fisted.  He  is  too 
stingy  to  part  even  with  a  secret. 

Medium  flexibility,  that  is,  the  hand 
that  bends  back  just  enough  to  escape 
stiffness,  is  best.  It  shows  a  nature 
that  is  well-balanced,  self-contained, 


not  an  extremist,  neither  chained  to 
old- fogy  ism,  nor  radical  to  the  point 
of  rashness.  Such  a  subject  will  help 
those  who  need  help,  but  will  not 
squander  money  nor  sympathy  with  a 
too  lavish  hand.  He  is  serious  and 
views  life  as  a  problem- which  he  spares 
no  pains  to  try  to  understand  and 
solve. 

3.  Whether  the  palm  of  the  hand  is 
soft,  elastic  or  hard.  This  is  called 
ithe  hand's  consistency.  If  it  is  soft: 
the  subject  is  lazy.  The  softer,  the. 
lazier.  If  so  soft  as  to  be  flabby,  it  is 
safe  to  say  that  no  matter  how  many 
good  qualities  the  hand  may  otlicrwise 
indicate,  the  subject  will  never  ac- 
complish anything. 

If  elastic,  the  subject  will  be  ener- 
getic. The  more  elastic,  the  more 
strenuous. 

Elasticity  is  shown  by  the  rub1)er- 
like  tendency  of  the  flesh  to  resume 
its    original    conditions    after    being 

10 


pressed,  while  the  soft  or  flabby  hand 
is  like  putty  to  the  touch. 

If  the  consistency  is  hard,  the  sub- 
ject is  a  hard  worker;  one  who  finds 
delight  in  labor,  but  does  not  possess 
great  intelligence  to  guide  it.  The 
mind  is  inelastic,  and  usually  it  will 
be  found  that  the  hard  hand  is  ac- 
companied with  a  coarse  texture  of 
skin. 

4.  Whether  the  color  of  the  palm  is 
red.  pink,  white,  yellow  or  bluish. 

Eed  color  shows  excess  of  health, 
and  if  it  goes  with  a  hard,  inflexible, 
coarse-textured  hand  is  apt  to  brutal- 
ize its  possessor. 

Pink  color  indicates  normal  health 
and  is  an  excellent  sign  on  any  hand. 
It  belongs  to  a  subject  who  is  full  of 
brightness,  sunshine  and  vivacity  and 
whose  brain  is  not  clouded  by  too 
much  blood  nor  weakened  by  too  little. 

"White  colored  palms  show  lack  of 
blood,  consequently  lack  of  heat.  Such 
•11 


a  subject  is  cold,  unattractive,  repel- 
lent and  lacking  in  force.  He  is 
dreamy,  unemotional,  selfish,  mystical, 
unenthusiastic,  unsympathetic  and 
unloving. 

Yellow  palms  belong  to  a  bilious 
[subject.  He  is  constantly  depressed, 
moody,  melancholy  and  always  dread- 
ing and  expecting  the  worst.  He  is 
silent,  morose  and  uncompanionable. 
Gloom,  mystery  and  superstition  are 
his  characteristics. 

Blue  or  purple  color  in  the  palms 
indicates  sluggish  circulation  of  the- 
blood.  It  is  a  health  symptom  and 
has  no  reference  to  character.  All 
3'ou  can  say  when  you  meet  a  subject 
whose  palms  are  bluish  or  purplish  is 
that  his  heart  action  is  weak,  that  his 
blood  is  congested,  that  it  does  not  cir- 
culate freely. 


iJi 


SECOND  LESSON 

THE   THUMB 

Unassisted  by  any  other  part  of  the 
hand,  a  skillful  cheirognomist  is  able 
to  give  am  exhaustive  reading  of  a  per- 
son's character  from  the  thumb  alone. 

There  are  on  the  thumb,  like  on  all 
the  fingers,  three  phalanxes: 

i.  The  nail  phalanx,  representing 
will  power. 

2.  The  second  phalanx,  represent- 
ing reason. 

3.  The  third  phalanx,  known  as  the 
ball  of  the  hand,  representing  af- 
fection. This  phalanx  is  called  by 
cheirognomists  the  Mount  of  Venus, 
or  the  Mount  of  Melody. 

A THE  THUMB  S  SIZE 

Large  thumbs  indicate  strength  of 
character.     Their  possessor  is  guided 

13 


WILL  POWER 
DtCi^lON 
ABSLlTir   TO 


PERCEPTION 
JUDGMENT 
REA^ONINO 
fACULTY 

(look) 


LOVE 

SYMPATHY 

PASSION 

SEN5»E  Of 

dEAUTY 

SEN  St  Of 

MELODV 


A.        FIRST    PMAIANJX 
B        SECOND  PHALANX 
C         THIRD   PHALANX 


14 


bv  the  head.  He  is  a  leader^  a  seeker 
after  the  useful,  necessar}-  and  practi- 
cal. 

Small  thumbs  show  weak  character. 
Their  possessor  is  guided  by  the  heart. 
He  is  bound  to  be  led,  and  is  fond  of 
the  beautiful,  poetical  and  senti- 
mental. 

Small  thumbs  are  usually  found 
best  developed  in  the  third  phalanx 
(Mount  of  Venus),  and  deficient  in 
the  other  phalanxes,  thus  showing 
strong  affection  without  accompany- 
ing strength  of  will  or  reason. 

In   the   normal   development,   the 
first  phalanx  should  be  a  trifle  smaller 
than  the  second.     This  shows  a  well^ 
balanced  nature. 

If  the  first  phalanx  is  longer  than 
the  second,  Will  is  stronger  than  Sea- 
son, and  such  a  subject  is  bound  to 
first  act  and  then  reflect,  instead  of 
vice  versa.  He  is  stubborn  and  de- 
spotic, and  it  is  hard  to  make  him 
15 


realize  that  it  is  better  to  acknowledge 
3and  correct  an  error  than  to  suffer  its 
evil  consequences. 

If  the  second  phalanx  is  very  much 
longer  than  the  first,  the  subject  is  a 
clever  reasoner,  but  rarely  if  ever  ex- 
ecutes what  he  plans.  He  knows  what 
ought  to  be  donC;  but  lacks  the  will  to 
do  it. 

B — THE    thumb's    setting 

If  the  thumb  is  set  high  on  the 
hand,  that  is,  if  it  grows  out  of  the 
hand  near  the  fingers,  it  indicates  a 
-low  degree  of  intelligence. 

The  further  away  the  base  of  the 
thumb  is  from  the  fingers  the  higher 
the  intelligence. 

A  small  thumb,  high  set.  is  usually 
seen  on  the  hands  of  born  idiots. 

A  low-set  thumb,  standing  out  al- 
most at  right  angles  from  the  hand 
indicates  generosity,  sympathy,  inde- 
16 


pendence,  a  nature  ready  to  make  sac- 
rifices to  help  others. 

If,  m  addition,  this  low-set  thumb 
is  flexible,  it  denotes  a  subject  who 
scatters  money  with  prodigal  waste- 
fulness. 

A  thumb,  whether  high-set,  low  or 
of  medium  setting,  if  carried  very 
close  to  the  side  of  the  hand,  indicates 
great  caution,  lack  of  sympathy,  fear 
to  say  much  lest  familiarity  be  in- 
vited and  favors  be  asked.  Such  a  sub-, 
ject  is  narrow  in  his  views,  bigoted, 
secretive. 

The  medium  set  thumb,  which  is 
carried  neither  very  close  to  the  side 
of  the  hand  nor  tends  to  stick  out  at 
Tight  angles,  is  the  best."  Its  possessor 
is  neither  prodigal  nor  stingy,  but  re- 
sponds to  a  reasonable  appeal,  is  sensi- 
bly generous  and  in  all  things,  wheth- 
er business,  love,  religion  or  home  life, 
observes  ^a  proper  balance,  free  alike 
from  meanness  and  sickly  sentimen-, 
tality. 

17 


C THE  THUIMB's  SHAPE 

1.  The  elementary  thumb. 


If  looks  like  a  spigot  of  flesh  stuck 
on  to  the  hand ;  has  no  symmetry  and 
does  not  show  the  line  of  demarkation 
between  the  first  and  second  pha- 
lanxes. Its  characteristics  are  heavi- 
ness, coarseness,  brutality.  Its  owner 
cares  nothing  for  the  feelings  of  others 
and  neveii  hesitates  in  his  ignorant 
obstinacy  to  ride  rough-shod  over 
every  obstacle  in  his  way. 

Be  careful  to  observe  the  degree  in 
whicli   the  thumb  approaches  or  re- 

18 


cedes  from  the  elementary  type.  ^  In- 
deed, there  is  no  portion  of  cheirog- 
nomy  in  which  this  precaution  of 
noting  degrees  ■  should  ever  be  lost 
sight  °of.  If,  for  instance,  the  first 
■suggestion  is,  "  This  hand  is  soft,"^  the 
very  next  consideration  should  be,  "To 
what  degree?"  And  another  thing  to 
be  borne  in  mind  is  proportion.  A 
thumb  may  be  very  small  and  yet,  in 
proportion  to  the  rest  of  the  hand, 
large,  or  vice  versa. 
2.  The  Strong  Thumb. 


Viewed   from  the  nail  side,   this 
thumb   is  broad   in  both   phalanxes, 
19 


but  it  is  not  as  thick  and  shapeless 
as  the  elementary  type.  And,  besides, 
each  phalanx  is  distinptly  discernible. 
The  possession  of  this  thumb  has  an 
indomitable  will  and  great  physical 
strength,  unless  the  color  of  the  palm 
is  of  the  pallid  white  of  anaemia,  the 
yellow  of  biliousness  or  the  blue  or 
pujple  of  defective  heart  action. 
3.  The  Refined  Thumb. 


This  shapely  thumb  has  the  appear- 
ance    of     being     of     one     thickness 
throughout  the  two  upper  phalanxes. 
It  is  delicately  moulded  and  speaks  of 
20 


tact  and  refinement,  backed  by  strong 
will  and  reasoning.  Its  owner  ac- 
complishes his  purpose  by  diplomacy 
and  without  wounding  anybody's  feel- 
ings and  yet  with  a  determination 
which  is  rarely  shaken.  It  is  to  such 
as  these  that  the  simile  of  the  "steel 
blade  in  a  velvet  scabbard''  applies. 
4.  The  Nervous  Thumb. 


It  is  very  flat  and  when  pressed"  be- 
tween "your  fingers  feels  spongy  and 
flabby,-  as  if  all  the  substance  had 
been  squeezed  out.  It  indicates  ex- 
treme nervousness. 
21 


5.  Paddle-shaped  Thumb. 


The  first  phalanx  is  very  broad,  but 
not  necessarily  thick.  It  denotes  tre- 
mendous will-power,  and  even  if  the 
phalanx  is  short  its  great  breadth 
shows  that  the  subject  is  very  de- 
termined, one  who  is  a  factor  to  be 
reckoned  with,  and  never,  under  any 
circumstances,  a  milksop.  It  is  usu- 
ally found  accompanied  with  physical 
weakness,  as  if  to  prove  the  saying 
that  ''nature  is  parsimonious." 
22 


6.  The  Brilliant  Thumb. 


The  second  phalanx  is  waist-like. 
Such  a  subject  possesses  a  brilliant^ 
tactful  nature.  He  is  an  agreeable 
companion,  for  he  knows  exactly  how 
to  say  and  do  things  calculated  to 
please,  and  has  a  faculty  of  orainino- 
his  ends  while  seeming  to  be  doing  a 
favoV. 

23     $ 


7.  The  Clubbed  Thumb. 


The  -will  phalanx  is  thick  and 
rounded  and  the  nail  short  and  coar^^e. 
This  thumb  shows  almost  unconquer- 
able obstinacy,  passion  and  determi- 
nation. Although  the  owner  of  such 
a  thumb  may  be  easy-going  and  mild- 
mannered,  he  is  a  dangerous  person 
to  arouse.  He  is  apt.  in  a  fit  of  anger, 
to  lose  sight  of  all  consequences  and 
beat  out  one's  brains. 
24 


THIRD  LESSON 

FINGERS 

I 

FINGERS  IN  GENERAL 

The  finger  adjoining  the  thumb  is- 
called  the  finger  of  Jupiter.  The  one 
next  to  that  Saturn,  then  comes  Apol- 
lo, and  the  small  finger  is  Mercury. 

The  space  between  the  thumb  and 
Jupiter,  if  wide,  indicates  generosity, 
love  of  independence  and  intolerance 
of  restraint. 

The  space  between  Jupiter  and  Sat- 
urn wide  speaks  of  independence  of 
thought,  a  mind  that  is  not  bound 
down  by  the  views  and  opinions  of 
others.  One  that  has  opinions  of  his 
own. 

Saturn  and  Apollo  well  separated, 
denotes  a  subject  careless  of  the  fu- 
25 


JUPITtR 


nCRCURY 


APOLLO 


SATURN 


26 


ture;  a  Bohemian,  one  devoid  of  stiff- 
ness or  formality. 

Apollo  and  Mercury  widely  separ- 
ated, denotes  independence  in  action; 
one  who  in  his  conduct  does  not  care 
for  the  opinions  of  others. 

These  spaces  between  the  fingers 
must  be  at  the  bases  of  the  fingers, 
and  not  due  to  curvature  of  the  fin- 
gers. 

AVhen  all  the  fingers  are  tight  to- 
gether the  subject  is  hard  to  become 
acquainted  with.  He  is  stiff,  formal,' 
lacking  independence  of  thought  and 
action,  stingy  because  self-centred,, 
and  always  looking  out  for  the  future.' 

Saturn  should  be  the  longest  finger. 
.It  is  the  balance-wheel  of  character. 

Jupiter  and  Apollo  are,  when  nor- 
mal, of  equal  length  and  should  reach 
to  the  middle  of  Saturn's  nail  pha- 
lanx. 

Mercury  should  reach  the  base  of 
Apollo's  nail  phalanx. 


What  characteristics  each  finger  rep- 
resents will  be  taught  in  the  fourth 
lesson. 


n 


INDIVIDUAL   PHALANXES 

If  the  first  (nail)  phalanx  of  a 
given  finger  is  longest  it  shows  that 
the  mental  qualities  characteristic  of 
that  particular  finger  predominate. 

If  the  second  phalanx  is  longest  the 
business  qualities  characteristic  of 
that  particular  finger  predominate. 

If  the  third  phalanx  is  longest^  the 
more  sensual  qualities  characteristic 
of  that  finger  predominate. 

If  the  third  phalanx  is  very  thicks 
coarseness  and  brutishness  character- 
ize the  subject. 

If  the  third  phalanx  is  very  long 
and  thick,  coarse  sensualism,  luxuri- 
28 


ousness  and  gratification  of  the  ap- 
petites are  sliown. 

If  extremely  thick,  fondness  for 
eating  and  drinking  is  shown. 

If  the  third  phalanx  is  waist-like, 
the  subject  is  a  moderate  eater  and 
expends  his  strength  in  mental  or 
business  affairs.  Money  is  valued  by 
him  only  for  the  pleasures  it  can  pur- 
chase. He  is  apt  to  be  very  extrava- 
gant.   He  is  of  an  enquiring  mind. 

If  the  fingers  are  excessively  long 
and  the  chinks  between  them  very 
wide,  he  is  not  so  much  an  enquirer 
as  merely  an  inquisitive  prier  into 
everybody's  business. 


Ill 


FIXGER   TIPS 

There  are  four  primary  tips.   They 
are  rarely  seen  in  their  purity. 
29 


1.  The  Spatulate  Tip. 


Finger  tips  shaped  like  this  show 
activity,  originality,  enthusiasm,  earn- 
estness, quick  resolve,  skill,  enterprise, 
independence,  fondness  for  novelty, 
for  animals,  for  sport,  for  anything 
that  enables  their  owner  to  give  ex- 
pression to  his  energy,  and  activity. 
30 


2.  The  Square  Tip. 


A  subject  with  such  finger  tips  loves 
regularity,  order,  system,  arrange- 
ment. He  thinks  and  acts  by  rule, 
is  punctual  and  assists  on  others  being 
so.  He  is  polite  and  a  strict  observer 
of  social  customs.  Precedent  is  his 
guide  through  life  and  he  detests  de- 
partures from  the  old  and  established. 
He  does  nothing  by  impulse,  is  careful 
in  , dress,  likes  history  and  scientific 
ivorkSj  paintings  of  natural  scenery, 
of  still-life  or  of  buildings.  He  is 
skillful  m  games  and  apt  to  be  a  good 
sculptor 

31 


3.  The  Conic  Tip. 


This  is  the  artistic  tip.  A  person 
with  conic-tipped  fingers  is  impulsive, 
quick^  intuitive,  impressionable.  He  is 
swayed  by  the  beautiful  and  harmo- 
nious, cares  "nothing  for  system  and 
regularity,  usually  detests  arithmetic, 
and  never  has  a  fixed  place  for  any- 
thing. He  is  talented,  inclined  to 
idealism'  and  seeks  occupations  in 
which  he  finds  scope  for  his  intuitive 
powers.  He  prefers  romance  to  real- 
ity, and  in  diet,  too,  craves  more  for 
dainties  than  for  substantial  food.  He 
32 


is  sympathetic,  emotional  and  easily 
led.  He  is  not  very  l;onstant  in  love. 
He  is  poetic,  lovable  and  very  attract- 
ive and  very  unconventional. 

4.  The  Pointed  or  Psychic  Tip. 


This  is  the  conic  tip  carried  to  ex- 
cess. Its  owner  lives  entirely  in  the 
realm  of  mentality  and  has  no  inter- 
•est  in  the  materialistic  operations  of 
business.  He  is  highly  inspirational, 
and  idealistic,  and  prefers  his  cloud- 
land  dreams  to  anything  this  practi- 
cal, money-seeking,  matter-of-fact 
world  can  offer.  Beauty  is  all  in  all 
to  him.  His  life  is  happy  ov  other- 
33 


wise  in  proportion  as  he  has  means  to 
secure  leisure  to  indulge  his  beautiful 
fancies.  He  is  too  ethereal  for  useful- 
ness. He  is  a  visionary  and  is  forever 
chafing  under  the  uncongeniality  of 
every-day,  practical  surroulndings. 
Life  is  unreal  and  shadowy  to  him.- 
His  dreams  and  poetic  fancies  are  the 
only  things  that  seem  to  him  to  be 
substantial. 

The  tips  one  usually  meets  in  prac- 
tice are  merely  approximations  to  one 
or  the  other  of  these  pure  types  and 
must  be  read  as  modified  by  the  ex- 
tent of  their  departure  from  the  pure 
type.  Sometimes  they  are  a  combina^ 
tion  of  types,  and  it  happens  not  in- 
frequently that  each  finger  has  a  dif- 
ferent tip. 

IV 
LONG   FINGERS 

Fingers  which  are  as  long  as  the 
palm  or  longer,  are  long  fingers.  They 
34 


indicate  that  the  subject  is  f(nKl  of 
detail,  of  going  into  minutia  to  the 
neglect  of  larger  affairs.  He  is  sus- 
picious and  never  quite  sure  that  his 
friends  are  true ;  is  sensitive  and  easily 
offended.  He  is  a  careful  plodder, 
neat,  tidy,  slow,  patient,  long-winded, 
thoughtful,  watchful,  enquiring,  and 
has  a  good  memory.  He  is  inclined  to 
be  selfish  and  stingy. 


SHORT    FINGERS 

Fingers  shorter  than  the  palm  are 
short  fingers.  A  short-fingered  sub- 
ject despises  details  and  wants  every- 
thing considered  in  its  entirety.  He 
is  a  quick  thinker  and  wants  you  to 
come  to  the  point  without  much  cir- 
cumlocution. He  is  highly  intuitive, 
is  not  easily  deceived,  forms  his  own 
opinions  while  you  are  still  talking, 
and  usually  acts  upon  the  spur  of  the 

35 


moment.  He  is  hot-headed  and  ex- 
tremely strenuous.  He  cares  only  for 
large  enterprises^  craves  for  every- 
thing on  a  grand  scale,  wants  to  build 
large  structures,  lead  armies^  control 
nations,  dictate  policies.  He  is  dash- 
ing, but  usually  slovenly,  because  he 
has  no  time  for  detail.  For  the  same 
reason  he  is  careless  of  etiquette  and 
does  not  notice  slights  unless  very 
glaring.  He  is  not  over-sensitive  and, 
as  a  rule,  he  is  of  a  happy,  .cheerful 
disposition.  He  is  quickrwitted,  con- 
cise in  expression  and  makes  a  good 
reporter  and  short-story  teller. 

VI 
KNOTTY   FINGERS 

Protuberances  at  the  joints  are 
called  knots.  Unless  produced  by 
rheumatism  or  adventitious  causes 
they  indicate  thoughtfulness,  analysis, 
lack  of  emotion.  Such  a  subject  is 
36 


not  led  by  sentiment.  He  is  ruled  by 
the  head  not  the  heart.  He  is  studi- 
ous and  stores  hi-s  mmd  with  well- 
classified,  well-digested  knowledge. 
He  is  skeptical  and  demands  proof  for 
everything. 

If  the  first  joint  is  knotted  it  indi- 
cates that  these  qualities  apply  to  the 
mental  side.  The  second  joint  knot- 
ted shows  the  development  of  the  ma- 
terial order,  of  practical  common- 
sense  in  business  matters.  A  subject 
with  both  joints  knotted  applies  the 
gauge  of  mental  and  material  neat- 
ness to  whatever  he  does 

A  knot  on  a  short  finger  detract.s 
from  its  impulsiveness. 

VII 

SMOOTH   FINGERS 

If  there  is  no  protuberance  at  the 
joints     the    fingers    are    said    to    be 
smootli.    Such  a  subject  acts  upon  im- 
37 


pulse,,  inspiration,  intuition.  He  is 
artistic  in/. taste  and  inclination  and, 
if  the  finger  tip  is  conic  or  pointed, 
he  is -apt  to  waste  his  whole  life  dream- 
ing of  what  he  will  do  to-morrow. 
Only  rarely  does  he  accomplish  any- 
thing. 

Smooth-fingered  subjects  act  upon 
impressions;  they  do  not  like  to  delve. 
They  think  quick,  dispose  of  every- 
thing more  rapidly,  but  are  never  as 
thorough  as  the  knotty-fingered  sub- 
jects. Life  is  more  beautiful  to  them. 
They  see  its  artistic  side  and  -are  at- 
tracted by  its  beauties  of  color  and 
form.  They  are  seldom  skeptics.  They 
are  content  to  take  the  word  of  others 
in  matters  of  religion  and  are  willing 
to  allow  much  for  granted. 

The  Latin  races  have  smooth  fin- 
gers. They  love  the  ritual,  pomp  and 
splendor  of  religious  pageantry.  The 
knotty-fingered  Puritans  care  only  for 
simplicity. 


If  the  fingers  are  coarse,  smootl>- 
ness  indicates  that  the  subject  is  fond 
of  showy  dress  and  vulgar  display. 

Smooth  fingers  are  necessary  to  the 
actor,  as  he  is  sometimes  compelled 
to  rely  upon  the  inspiration  of  the 
moment  to  help  him  out  of  unfore- 
seen dilemmas.,  A  knotty-fingered 
actor  would,  under  similar  circum- 
stances, ponder  and  probably  not  hit 
upon  the  proper  course  to  pursue  until 
tlie  occasion  was  passed. 

Xote : — In  practice  always  allow  for 
the  modifying  or  heightening  influ- 
ences of  tips,  consistency,  texture  and 
color.  .  Thus  a  smooth  finger  with  a 
square  tip  denotes  a  more  practical 
and  successful  subject  than  a  smooth- 
fingered  one  with  a  conic  tip.  And, 
on  the  other  hand,  the  chances  of  suc- 
cess of  the  latter  are  enhanced  by  pink 
color,  while  even  the  most  promising 
knotty-fingered  subject  is  apt  to  meet 
with  failure  if  the  color  of  the  palm  is 
pallid  white  or  yellow. 
39' 


FOURTH  LESSOX 

THE   SEVEX  TYPES   OF   HUMANITY 

In  nearly  all  hands  there  are  on  the 
palms  fleshy  pads  or  elevations  called 
"Mounts."  Each  of  them  has  its  own 
name  and  meaning  according  to  its 
location  in  the  palm. 

The  following  figure  shows  the  loca- 
tion of  the  Mounts,  together  with 
what  each  stands  for: 

In  some  hands  all  the  Mounts  are 
discernible;  in  others  the  palm  is  flat, 
there  is  no  Mount  at  all.  But,  in  most 
individuals,  you  will  find  one  Mount 
more  conspicuously  developed  than 
the  others,  and  in  this  case  you  judge 
the  subject  to  belong  to  the  type  of 
(humanity  represented-  by  that  Mount. 

Four  of  the  Mounts,  Jupiter,  Sat- 
urn, Apollo  and  Mercury,  are  at  the 
40 


base   of   eorrespondmgty   named   fin- 
gers. 

If  the  palm  is  flat,  or,  if  all  the 
Mounts  seem  equally  developed,  a 
finger  often  indicates  the  type  the 
subject  belongs  to. 

For  instance,  if  the  finger  of  Jupi- 
ter is  abnormally  long,  the  other  fin- 
gers being  normal,  the  subject  may 
safely  be  classed  as  a  Jupiterian. 
This  is  especially  true  if  the  finger  of 
Jupiter  is  crooked  in  a  lateral  di- 
rection, or  also  if  the  other  fingers 
appear  to  be  leaning  toward  Jupiter. 
If  the  conditions  just  spoken  'of  apply 
to  the  finger  of  Saturn,  the  subject  is 
a  Saturnian ;  if,  to  the  finger  of  Apol- 
lo, an  Apollonian,  or,  if  to  the  finger 
of  Mercury,  a  Mercurian. 

One  rarely  meets  with  a  pure  speci- 
men of  any  of  the  seven  types.  Most 
subjects  are  composites,  but  in  nearly 
every  instance,  even  among  compos- 
ites, there  will  be  found  one  Mount, 
>  42 


or  one  finger  strongly  in  the  lead.  In 
this  case  the  subject  must  be  classified 
as  of  that  Mount — tjiye,  modified  by 
the  characteristics  of  his  other  pre-, 
dominant  Mounts. 

I — JUPITERIANS 

A  Jupiterian  is  ambitious.  He 
wants  to  lead,  to  shine,  to  be  praised. 
He  is  loud  and  blustery,  but  not  quar- 
Telsome.  He  possesses  self-reliance 
and  is  not  given  to  seeking  advice 
from  others. 

He  is  warm-hearted,  sympathetic, 
generous  and  despises  miserliness.  He 
is  courteous  and  is  greatly  attracted 
toward  the  opposite  sex. 

Note:  Throughout  these  lessons 
the  personal  pronoun  is  used  only  in 
the  masculine  gender.  This  is  for 
brevity.  In  all  case^  what  is  said  of 
one  sex  is  intended  to  be  applicable 
also  to  the  other. 

43 


To  proceed  with  the  lesson,  Jupi- 
terians  are  fond  of  display,  of  pa- 
geantry. They  revere  and  are  great 
sticklers  for  custom  and  precedent. 
They  are  inclined  to  be  religious,  and 
honor  is  all  in  all  to  them.  They  ob- 
serve law  and  order,  and  although  as- 
piring to  rule,  they  are  essentially 
lovers  of  peace.  Ancient  lineage  and 
family  traditions  count  for  much  with 
them,  but  despite  their  pride  and  aris- 
tocratic leaning  they  are  usually 
adored  by  the  poor  and  oppressed, 
because  they  are  eminently  just  and 
always  readv  to  support^the  down- 
troddem 

They  are  predisposed  to  marry  early 
in  life,  and  their  choice  is  usually  one 
with  whom  they  expect  to  ,be  able  to 
"show  off."  Disappointment  in  this 
respect  is  one  of  their  greatest  sources 
of  unhappiness. 

The  besetting  sin  ot  Jupiterrans  is 
gluttony.      Of   course,   comparatively 

44 


few  real  Jupiterians  yield  to  this 
temptation,  although  most  of  them  are 
epicures,  but  gluttony  is  a  sting  ever 
present  and  becomes  the  fruitful 
source  of  indigestion,  gout,  vertigo 
and  finally  apoplexy  A  very  thick 
third  phalanx  of  the  finger  of  Jupiter 
is  an  infallible  sign  of  gluttony. 

II — SATURXIAXS 

Wisdom,  prudence,  foresight;  cau- 
tion, studio usness,  sobriety,  patience, 
indefatigable  industry  and  economy 
are  the  chief  good  traits  of  this  type 
of  man. 

His  unenviable  traits  are  cynicism, 
skepticism,  suspicion,  lack  of  venera- 
tion, melancholy,  superstition,  stingi- 
ness, dislike  and  jealousy  of,  others, 
and  malevolence  to  the  point  of  gloat- 
ing over  the  sufferings  he  inflicts. 

The  Saturnian  loves  solitude.  He 
shuns  society,  is  a  profound  student,' 
45 


'Yery  fond  of  occult  studies,  also  of 
mathematics,  chemistry '  and  physics. 
Agriculture  and  mining  are  his  favor- 
ite pursuits. 

Being  prudent,  cautious  and  con- 
servative he  rarely  speculates.  Real 
estate  investments  are  preferred  by 
him  to  gambling  in,  stocks  and  bonds. 

He  is  cold-blooded  and  repellent, 
scarcely  even  amorous  and  rarely  mar- 
ries. 

He  IS  independent,  frets  at  re- 
straint, cannot  brook  contradiction, 
but  often  allows  himself  to  be  led  by 
permission  when  threats  have  failed  to. 
drive  him. 

His  gloom  is  largely  due  to  the  fact 
that;  he  is  exceedingly  bilious,  and  to 
this  cause  are  to  be  attributed  nearly 
all  the  ailments  from  which  he  suffers, 
those  to  which  he. is  most  subject  be- 
ing nervousness,  paralyses  (usually  of 
the  lower  limbs),  rheumatism,  vari- 
cose veins  and  ear  trouble. 

46 


It  is  from  this  type  that  most  sui- 
cides and  also  many  criminals  are  re- 
cruited. 

Ill — APOLLOXIAXS 

Xot  all  ApoUonians  are  artists,  al- 
though it  is  customary  to  suppose, 
them  so.  It  is  certain,  though,  that 
they  all  love  beauty  of  form  and  color/ 
but,  according  as  the  upper  or  middle 
or  lower  of  the  three  world's  rules,  or 
as  the  first,  second  or  third  phalanx 
of  the  finger  of  Apollo  is  longest,  or  as 
the  texture  of  the  skin  is  fine,  medium 
or  coarse,  or  as  any  of  the  other  cheir- 
<3gnomic  conditions  heretofore  treated 
of  prevails,  the  Apollonian  will  be 
t?ither  an  artist  or  a  merchant  with 
rare  good  taste,  or  a  shoddy,  loud- 
mouthed pretender,  with  a  taste  for 
only  vulgar  beauty  and  garish  colors. 
The  following  are  characteristics  of 
the  Apollonian  type: 

He  loves  beauty,  enjoys  life,  is  bril- 
47 


liant,  versatile,  highly  intuitive,  sees 
through  things  quicker  than  others, 
adapts  himself  easily  to  all  conditions, 
can  make  himself  "all  things  to  all 
men,"  has  a  knack  of  making  much' 
out  of  little,  especially  in  matters  of 
knowledge;  is  inventive  and  able  to 
clothe  old  ideas  in  a  new  garb,  making 
them  appear  to  be  his  own ;  he  is  re- 
pelled  by   whatever  lacks  beauty,  is- 
fond  of  fine  clothes,  is  warm  in  friend- 
ship,  but    very    inconstant;    attracts 
hosts  of  friends,  w^ho  are  anxious  to 
serve  him,  l3ut  soon   fall  off  on  ac- 
count of  the  neglect  to  which  his  in- 
constancy subjects  them;  he  is  very 
logical  and  expresses  himself  easily  in 
clear  terms,  and  is  very  frank ;  he  is 
a  quick  money-maker,  but  ^ends  just 
as  quickly ;  he  is  religious,  but  not  in- 
clined to  be  fanatical;  is  quick  tem- 
pered, but  only  for  the  moment,  and 
is  not  resentful ;  he  is  fond  of  travel- 
ling; is  honest  and  readily  acknowl- 
48 


edges  his  faults.  He  is  usually  un- 
happy in  marriage  because  he  pitches 
his  ideal  of  a  wife  too  high. 

If  the  finger  of  Apollo  is  nearly  as 
long  as  Saturn,  the  subject  inclines 
to  take  great  risks  in  everything.  He 
will  stake  life,  liberty,  money,  repu- 
tation in  pursuing  his  aims.' 

If  Apollo  is  longer  than  the  finger 
of  Saturn,  you  have  the  reckless  gam- 
bler. 

If  the  finger  of  Apollo  is,  in  addi- 
tion, crooked,  you  have  the  tricky 
gambler. 

IV — MERCURIAXS 

They  are  the  quickest,  shrewdest, 
most  active  of  the  seven  types.  From 
their  ranks  are  recruited  the  great 
orators,  scientists,  doctors,  lawyers, 
actors,  teachers  and  business  men. 

If  the  finger  of  Mercury  is  crooked 
(indicating  added  shrewdness),  and 
the  color  of  the  hand  yellow  from  bil- 

49 


iouf^ness,  the  subject  is  apt  to  be  a  bad 
Mercurian.  It  is  such  as  these  that 
constitute  liars^,  swindlers,  cheats, 
stock-jobbers,  bank  robbers,  "get-rich- 
quick"  schemers,  pickpockets.  But  be 
not  too  quick  to  judge  harshly.  First 
examine  the  hands  for  all  signs  that 
tend  to  confirm  this  judgment,  lest 
you  lay  yourself  open  to  an  act  of  in- 
justice. 

The  general  characteristics  of  the 
Mercurian  type  are  shrewdness,  un- 
erring intuition  in  judging  human 
nature,  tireless  energy,  great  skill  in 
everything,  thus  making  the  Mercu- 
rian the  victor  in  all  sports  and  games 
in  which  dexterity  and  mental  acumen 
rather  than  brute  force  are  required; 
he  is  graceful,  tactful,  adroit,  diplo- 
matic, crafty,  persuasive  and  especial- 
ly astute  in  the  use  of  "figureheads." 
Whenever  you  feel  that  there  is  a 
"power  behind  the  throne"  look  for  a 
Mercurian. 

50 


He  is  fond  of  the  study  of  sciences^ 
especially  mathenfiatics.  He  is  a  splen- 
did mimic,  but  the  two  things  that  are 
pre-eminently  his  are  shrewdness  and 
quickness  in  judging  human  nature. 
For  this  reason  fake  clairvoyants,  for- 
tune tellers,  psychics,  spiritualists,  in 
fact  nearly  all  humbugs  will  be  found 
to  be  Mercurians. 

With  the  first  phalanx  of  Mercury 
longest,  look  for  the  orator,  writer, 
lawyer,  teacher,  actor. 

With  the  second  phalanx  longest, 
look  for  the  physician  or  scientist. 

With  the  third  phalanx  longest,  you 
have  the  shrewd  business  man;  where- 
in Mercury  differs  from  the  other 
fingers,  the  second  phalanx  usually 
standing  for  business,  the  third  for 
baser  desires. 

V— -MARTIANS 

This  is  the  fighting  type,  whether 
51 


with  the  sword,  the  fist  or  the  intel- 
lect. 

You  will  see  on  the  map  of  the 
^lounts  at  the  beginning  of  this  les- 
son, that  there  are  an  upper  and  a 
lower  Mount  of  Mars  as  well  as  a 
Plain  of  Mars  lying  between  them. 

The  lower  Mount  represents  aggres- 
sion ;  the  upper  Mount,  resistance ;  the 
plain,  if  developed,  sudden  temper. 

Nearly  all  hands  shaw  some  martial 
development.  If  there  is  no  such  de- 
velopment at  all  the  subject  is  one 
who  allows  himself  to  be  trampled 
npon;  is  easily  discouraged  in  the 
struggle  for  existence  and  is  unable  to 
make  even  brilliant  qualities  available. 

The  resistance  of  the  upper  Mount 
renders  the  Martian  cool  and  col- 
lected under  al]  circumstances;  he  re- 
tains presence  of  mind  in  danger  and 
is  never  disheartened  by  defeat.  A 
good  upper  Mount  will  enable  even  a 
flnllard  to  succeed  in  life  by  dint  of 
sheer  perseverance. 

52 


Nearly  all  suicides  have  a  deficient 
upper  Mount  of  Mars. 

The  lower  Mount  greatly  developed 
denotes  one  who  loves  strife,  who 
"  would  rather  fight  than  eat." 

If,  with  a  well-developed  lower 
Mount  there  is  no  accompanying  up- 
per Mount,  the  subject  will  be  hector- 
ing bully  who  backs  down  as  soon  as 
his  ''  bluff  is  called." 

These  are  the  general  characteristics 
of  the  type :  bravery,  energ}',  deter- 
mination, patience. in  enduring  and 
suffering,  brusqueness.  Strenuous- 
ness  is  one  of  his  principal  traits.  He 
is  domineering,  yet  means  well.  He  is 
generous,  has  a  host  of  friends  and  is 
equally  ready  to  fight  or  spend  his'. 
money  for  them.  He  is  fond  of  rough 
sports,  and  gives  and  demands  fair 
play.    He  is  proud  and  fond  of  show. 

While  not  criminal  by  nature,  he 
needs  refining  influences  to  keep  him 
from  becoming  brutal.     He  is  apt  to 
53 


yield  to  drunkenness  and  lascivious- 
ness,  and  if  he  becomes  a  murderer  lie 
does  so  in  a  brutal  manner.  If  he 
steals,  it  is  not  for  gain,  but  to  have 
the  wherewithal  to  gratify  his  pas- 
sions. 

VI — THE  LUXARIAXS 

This  is  the  coldest,  least  passionate 
of  the  types,  but  the  most  imaginative. 
Lunarians  are  extremely  nervous, 
restless,  fond  of  change  and  conse- 
qu-ently  of  travelling,  especially  on 
water.  They  are  dreamy,  fanciful, 
idealistic  and  possess  considerable 
facility  of  speech  which,  owning  to 
their  strong  imao^ination,  is  full  of 
quaint  turns.  They  make  good  lin- 
guists, composers,  musicians,  fiction 
writers. 

They. lack  self-confidence,  are  lazv, 
mentally  as  well  as  physically,  and  are 
selfish  and  ungenerous.  Fi-ckleness  is 
54 


one  of  their  chief  traits.  They  always 
jearn  for  the  unattainable  and  are 
melancholy,  mystical,  superstitious, 
phlegmatic  and  sensitive. 

They  eat  much,  but  are  not  sensual 
nor  amorous  nor  affectionate,  and 
make  poor  marriage-mates. 

When  their  imagination  is  excessive 
Lunarians  incline  to  insanity.  The 
asylums  are  filled  with  them,  just  as 
the  prisons  are  filled  with  Saturn ians 
and  Mercurians. 

With  their  bad  side  developed.  Lun- 
arians are  liars,  deceitful,  hypocriti- 
cal, mean,  cowardly,  insolent  and» 
without  being  passionate  are  subject 
to  nymphomania  or  satyriasis  on  ac- 
count of  their  exuberance  of  vile  im- 
aginings. 

VII — VENUSIANS. 

This  is  the  handsomest,  most  cheer- 
ful,   lovable    and    attractive    of    the 
seven  types.    A  good  Venusian  is  sym- 
55 


pathetic,  soulful,  ardent,  unselfish, 
tender,  affectionate,  generous,  con- 
stant and  full  of  passion  held  in  check 
by  a  magnanimous  heart. 

He  is  fond  of  amusement,  dancing 
and  society;  is  careless,  improvident 
,and  apt  to  pursue  pleasure  to  the  neg" 
lect  of  his  more  permanent  interests. 
He  is  bright,  vivacious,  effervescent, 
cares  little  for  riches,  less  for  ambi- 
tion and  loves  the  beautiful  rather 
than  the  useful. 

He  is  honest,,  truthful,  forgiving 
and  though  often  deceived,  retains  his 
generosity. 

The  Mount  of  Venus  is  also  called 
the  Mount  of  Melody,  for  the  Venus- 
ian  loves  music,  especially  of  the  gay 
sort. 

By  a  strange  irony  the  Venusian 
makes  a  splendid  tragic  actor,  while 
the  sombre  Saturnian  is  good  at 
comedy.  In  hjs  writings  also  the 
Venusian  pursues  a  sad  strain. 
56 


In  a  bad  development  Venusians 
yield  to  low  appetites,  have  a  vulgar, 
debased  taste,  love  low,  obscene  litera- 
ture and  pictures  and  ribald  talk  and 
are  conscienceless  debauches. 


Note. — Each  Mount-type  must  be 
read  m  conjunction  with  the  Cheirog- 
nomic  characteristics  contained  in  the 
preceding  lessons.  In  this  way  the  stu- 
dent will  soon  be  able  to  tell  the  dif- 
ference between,  say,  a  Jupitarian 
with  long  fingers  and  one  with  short 
-fingers,  one  with  hard  hands  and  one 
with  hands  of  an  elastic  consistency, 
•etc. 


L  5      LJ!.f'AKV 


5    000  007  903 


